Automatic character repeating mechanism for typewriters



Apnl 10, 1951 w. s. GATES, JR 2,548,717

AUTOMATIC CHARACTER REPEATING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Nov. 8, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGI.

April 10, 1951 2,548,717

W. S. GATES, JR AUTOMATIC CHARACTER REPEATING MECHANISM 1 FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Nov". 8, 1948 5 SheetsSheet 2 April 10, 1951 w. s. GATES, JR 2,543,717

AUTOMATIC CHARACTER REPEATING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 8, 1948 April 10, 1951 w. s. GATES, JR 2,548,717

AUTOMATIC CHARACTER REPEATING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Nov. 8, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 10, 1951 w. s. GATES, JR

AUTOMATIC CHARACTER REPEATING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 8, 1948 Tm .5 MM

mm i MQ ms O m Tb Patented Apr. 10, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC CHARACTER REPEATING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS William S. Gates, Jr., Springfield, Ill., assignor to Vauna Mary Brown Gates, Springfield, Ill.

Application November 8, 1948, Serial No. 58,929

23 Claims. 1

This invention relates to typewriters, and with regard to certain more specific features, to an automatic character repeater for such machines. Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision in a typewriter of an improved automatic character repeating means; the provision of repeating means of the class described which requires no change in the usual operating linkage of machines to which the invention is applied; the provision of a device of the class described which when automatic repeating action is not desired, permits a typewriter conveniently to be used as usual; the provision of a repeating mechanism which is conveniently adaptable by an operator to various exigencies of character repetition with a minimum number of auxiliary operations to be learned, said auxiliary operations being simple and foolproof; and the provision of apparatus of this class which is rapid, reliable, simple and economical in construction, and easy to adapt to present-day typewriter designs. Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a typewriter embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a left-side view of Fig. 1, parts being broken away more clearly to illustrate certain features;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, parts being shown in section, the device being set for ordinary operation of the typewriter carriage but wherein the end has been reached of a half-page typewritten line to be underlined;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, except that a preliminary setting has been made of the carriage to starting position for underlining;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, in which automatic underlining operation is occurring and approaching (without as yet again having attained) the Fig. 3 position;

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail view of parts of'Fig. 2, illustrating a modified key-operating mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a modified wiring diagram for the modification shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2 but diagrammatically illustrating a modified form of the invention; and,

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram for the form of the invention shown in Fig. 9.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 7

Many times it is desirable when typewriting to repeat a character, for example, an underline character. Where there are a great number of repetitions required, the operation, if manually performed, becomes a great and time-wasting burden upon the operator. By means of the present invention any desired repetition may be performed automatically without destroying the ability to carry it out manually if desired. Moreover, the typewriter towhich'the invention is applied may be used in the normal manner and the action of automatic character repetition instigated whenever needed. In addition, the 'automatic operation is such that when the character repetition such as underliningis to be ended at a certain point, such as at the end of a line, no unduly close attention or closely precise timing of manipulations is necessary to cause the underlining and the line to be coterminal.

The invention is described in particular in connection with the repetition of the ordinary underlining bar forming one of the characters on an ordinary typewriter keyboard. This character usually occupies a position on its respective type block requiring the carriage of the machine. to be elevated by a usual shift lock key. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is applicable to the repetition of any character, whether or not the printing of the character requires the carriage to be shifted up. Thus the invention can be made to repeat any 'symbol such as the dash, asterisk, period, or any tive key KI to another position to receive imprints of numbers and miscellaneous characters such as brackets, underlining, dashes, etc. On many machines these two shift-lock keys are incorporated into one key, but that circumstance has no bearing on the present invention, since its parts may be associated with the operation of either shiftlock key K1'or K-9 or a single shift-lock key if used. Moreover it is adaptable to machines wherein no shift-lock key operation is required to bring about printing of the character which it is desired to repeat.

The keyboard also includes the'usual space bar B. The typewriter also includes the usual ribbon control mechanism shown in part'a-t'numerals I I, and striker arms S, respective ones of which are suitably linked to the respective levers 6f the keys K. The lever or key bar formingpart of one striker-connection isindicated at I9, the par- :ticular connection being the one between the key Kl (carrying theunderlining bar indexz) and rthe striker'bar SI which moves the underlining type 1bar slug 4. The typewriter includes the usual main carriage l3, which advances step by step as respective ones of the keys K are depressed additionally includes all of the usual accessories to; make it a completely operative machine.

Referringto Figs. 2 and 3, numeral 2! indicates a motor in the base 3 which by a speed-reducin unit'including friction wheels 25 and spur gears 21 is connected to a driving crank 23. Thus when themotor is energized, the crank 23 turns at a 3 speed corresponding to the desired rate of automaticcharacter repetition. The crank includes .a crankpin -29 which engages in the slot 3! of a lost motion bar or link The latter extends up through asuitable openin 35 to a pin connection31withthe selected lever I9 of the key K-I carrying the index 2 of the character selected for repetition (in-this case an underlining dash). The length'of the slot 3I is limited in the downward direction, so that as the crankpin '29 traverses the lower 'arcof its motion circle, the

lever I9 will -be-pulled down'to cause the respective striker-arm S] to go into striking operation just as it would if the lever l9 were operated by the application of finger pressure to its respec- Wh'enthe-lever I9 is repeatedly operated upon successive rotations of thecrank 23 (motor 2! energized), the typewriter spaces in the usual manner, which needs not to .be decribed. Under what circumstances the motor 2| is energized to instigate the repeating effect will be described below.. I

Attached to the "rear of the carriage I3 and movable therewith is a framework 39 (Fig. 2) which includes two opposed rails 4| (Figs. 3-5) forming opposite guides for rollers 43 of a subcarriage 45. This sub-carriage 45 is formed with two oppositely sloping cam shoes 41 and '49, which may be integral, Welded or otherwise attached. The adjacent heel portions of the cam shoes and 49 are spaced apart to-form a slot 53 or space for the reception of a detent lever 55. The circumstances under which the lever 55 enters the slot 53 will appear.

Swinging across the slot 53' is "a liter arm 51 of a bell crank 59pivotedtothesub carriagafi at BI. A second arm 53 of the bell crank ek tends upward and carries a lift wheel 65. The pin 61 which forms a rotary support for the wheel 65 also fastens in place a pawl 69. When the detent lever 55 is up in the space 53, the and 51 is lifted, thus lifting the pawl 69 and wheel 55.

Rigidly attached to the framework 39 is a toothed rack 1I adapted to be engaged by the pawl 69 when the latter drops, as when the detent lever 55 is removed from the space 53. At the time the pawl 59 disengages the rack 1| the lift wheel 65 engages a switch-operating trolley bar 13 which is pivoted at 15 to said frame 39. Since the wheel 55 runs along the bottom of the trolley bar 13, the latter may be vertically moved by the wheel in any position of the sub-carriage 45 relative to the main carriage [3.

The nonpivoted end of the switch-operating bar 13 carries a pin 11 which is guided by a slot 19 formed ina stationary part 8l attached to the framework 33. Attachedto the part 81 is a switch'83 having a button'85 adapted'to be contactedb'y the end ofthe bar 13'When the latter is allowed to drop. 'Such action closes the switch. Thus it will be se'en that the switch 83 may be opene'd'orclose'd by the'lifting ordropping action of the lift wheel 65 in any position of the subcarfiage45 relative to the carriage l3.

The detent lever 55 is pivoted at 81 to a rigid bracket 89. This bracket is attached'to the usual lift parts 91 which cradle the carriage I3. The lift parts arethe ordinary ones controlled from keys K1 or K-'9, for'se'tting the carriage l3 into appropriate elevated position. Thus although the bracket 89 may rise and fall with the carriage I3 as it is lifted and lowered by the cradle 9'! nder action of the keys K1 and K9,

the bracket 8'5 does not move laterally with the carriage. Thus the pivoted lever 55 has a fixed location, laterally considered. The lever 55 is normally'biased upward by means of a spring 93 reacting from a point on'bracket89. It may be pulled downward by means of a 'cable"95, guided over a pulley 91 and attached at 99 to an operating lever I01. Thus it will be clear that whenever the space 53between'the cam shoes 41 and 49 comes'opposite the lever 55, the latter will, under its upward bias-push up the'arm 51, thus lifting the pawl 59 from the-rack 1i and lifting the wheel 55. The latter lifts the trolley switch 'bar 13 to cause the switch 83 to open. This state of affairs is shown in Fig. 3. Under such circumstances, the carriage 13, including the extension parts 59, rails ii, rack I I and trolley switch bar '13, may be traversed back and forth independently oi the'sub-carriage 45, which remains anchored due to the interlock between the detent lever 55 and space 53 of the sub-carriage.

-In Fig. 6 is shown a circuit diagram for the motor 2I. The circuit is connected across suitable line terminals I03, and is completed serially through the motor 2i, a normally closed limit switch I05, a normally open push-button switch I01 and the normally open switch 83 which is operated by the trolley switch-bar. The normally ope pu utton switch I81 is located in the position shown at the lower right in'Fig. 1. The normally closed limit switch I35 is also shown in Figfl. This switch I35 is adapted to be engaged and opened by afingerlilS-on the right-hand end of the carriage I3 when the latter is in a left hand limiting -position. This finger is part of a rider III! which is adjustable inrpositionon a cross bar H2 which forms a part of the main carriage l3. The finger I09 may be held in any selected lateral adjustment by means of a thumb screw 1 l4 capable of locking the rider to the cross bar at will in any adjusted location.

Operation is as follows:

Normally, the parts are in the conditions shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, wherein the carriage 13 may be operated laterally in the usual manner without interference. This lateral operation is relative to the sub-carriage 45, which is held in fixed position by the detent lever 55. The motor 2! is inoperative because switches 83 and ID! are normally open. Thus an operator can use the typewriter in the ordinary manner.

Quite often, particularly in the case of extensive tabulation, it is desired to underline a line of material that has just been finished, the underlining to start where desired, which is usually at the beginning of the line. Assume that a line of typing (half-page length for example only) has just been finished and it is desired to underline that line completely. The page is shown by dotted lines P in Fig. 1. Figs. 1 and 3 show the positions of the parts under such conditions. It will be observed that the main carriage l3, including the framework 39, up to this stage has been moving in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 3. This movement has been independent of the sub-carriage 45, which has been held in place by the detent lever 55. The effect 'of the movement of the main carriage l3 has thus been to determine the relative position of the sub-carriage 55 with respect to the main carriage.

' Assume now that the line just written is to be underlined from its beginning. Whether or not the underlining is to start at the beginning of the line or elsewhere is optional. In any event, the operator, prior to returning the carriage 53 to the desired starting point for the underlining, throws rearward the operating lever I 95. It will be clear from Figs. 2 and 3 that such action of the lever I!!! through pull on the cord 95 will draw the detent lever 55 down from the space 53. This releases the sub-carriage 45 which, because of the interlocking eifect of the bar 55 up to this event, has been prevented from moving relatively to the main frame I.

It will also be observed that the detent lever 55, when it was in the space 53, held up the arm 57 and consequently held the pawl 59 clear of the rack II (Fig. 3). This also caused the lift wheel 65 to hold up the trolley switch bar 73 in all positions of carriage l3. Hence when the lever 55 is drawn down (upon action of the lever 19!), not only is the sub-carriage 45 released from anchorage with the main frame I, but it is then connected to the parts moving with the main carriage [3. Therefore, when the operator takes the next step (after moving lever [G l) of moving the main carriage to a position for starting the underlining, the state of afiairs shown in Fig. 4 will exist. That is to say, the sub-carriage 45, being now free of the detent lever 55 and coupled to the rack H by pawl 59, will move with the carriage, maintaining its adjusted position thereon. After a suitable amount of movement of the sub-carriage 45 for clearing the lever 55 from the space 53, the lever [Bl may be released by the operator.

The operator finally positions carriage I3 so that subsequent underlining will start where desired. Assume this to be at the beginning of the line in the present example. It will be understood that at any point up to the present event, the operator may have depressed the shift-lock key K'l to bring about lifting ofthe carriage to a position wherein the underline character will print when the key K'l is depressed. It will be understood that elevation of the carriage [3 through lift of the cradle parts 9| upon operation of shift-lock key K-l will not itself cause the detent lever 55 to-be pulled down, because the spring 93 has substantial tension. Under these circumstances, lever 55 draws the cord to move the lever IDI into the initial position from which it is operated. A light coil spring l2 biases the lever l0! anticlockwise (Fig. 2) to maintain tension in the cord 95. This bias is not enough to overcome the tension in spring 93. Manual operation of the lever [III i sumcient to overcome tension in spring 93. Hence it is immaterial whether the operator pushes the shift-lock key K-'! into the elevating position shown in Fig. 2 before or after operation of lever IBI.

It will be observed that once the lever 55 is out of the space 53, the wheel 65 descends, allowing the trolley switch bar 13 to move down to close the switch 83. This switch closure prepares thecircuit of motor 2! (Fig. 6) for final manual closure at push-button switch I51. Thus the next step is for the operator to manipulate the pushbutton switch it)? and hold it down. The result. will be that the motor 2i is energized, which,. through the train 25, 21, drives the crank 23 (Fig. 2). This, through the crankpin 29 in slot- 3|, intermittently pulls down the bar 33. Thusthe key bar !9 is intermittently pulled down, with the result that the underlining character is repeatedly typed. The typewriter of course advances space by space just as it would if the keybar l9 were operated repetitiously by hand. The speed of the motor, however, is such that repetitions are automatically accomplished faster than by hand.

Thus the parts rapidly move from the position shown in Fig. 4 through that shown in Fig. 5' to that shown in Fig. 3. It will be observed that'- during this action the sub-carriage 45 rides along with the main carriage l3. Ultimately, the leading cam shoe 49 engages'the lever 55 to push it down, so that as the space 53 comes opposite the lever, the lever will be pulled into the pace by the spring 93. This lifts the arms 5'! and 63 and hence also lifts the wheel 65 to lift the trolley switch bar 73, which opens the switch 83. The switch opens to stop the underlining action exactly at the end of the line, as was automatically predetermined by the positioning of the sub-car-- riage 15 relative to the main carriage l3 under the circumstances illustrated in Fig. 3. It should be understood that the central position adopted. for the'carriage E3 in Fig. 3 is only exemplary and other positions for line endings are handled equally well. Starting at the time that the pawl 59is lifted from the rack H the sub-carriage 45 remains anchored with the detent lever 55, but the main carriage l3 may be freely operated back and forth for the further typewriting purposes of the operator. Whenever the operator desires, the repeating action may again be instigated in the manner described.

It will be observed that the switch button I97 needs not to be released at any critical time. It is only necessary that it be held down long enough that the underlining can at least occur up to the end of the line which it is desired to underline. Even though the operator holds down the switch ill! for a greater length of time than necessary, the switch 83 automatically opens at the predetermined time for endingthe underlining.

bar I9 is drawn down for operation. In order to break the circuit for repetition, a switch I3! is provided. A spring arm I38 of this switch I3! is adapted to be engaged by the armature I34 each time that the latter is drawn down. This opens the switch I31, which is in the operating circuit illustrated in Fig. 8. The other parts of this circuit are as already described, with the exception that the motor 2| is replaced by the coil of the electromagnet I35. Since the switch I3! is normally closed, when the circuit is otherwise closed, the electromagnet I35 is enabled to draw down the armature I34 and operate the key KI. Each timethat the key is depressed, the switch I3! is opened. 'The operation is repeated until another switch in the circuit is opened. The opening operation of the other switches need not be repeated, since it is the same as already described. It will be understood that the extension I 33 may be attached at any convenient point along the bar I9.

It will be understood that the invention as shown in Fig. 2 has been shown as applied to an essentially manually operated keyboard to which is applicable the motor drive 2! for the key K--I or the electromagnetic drive of Fig. 7f As is well-known, man machines on the market today have electromechanically driven keys. Such machines consist essentially of a continuously operating motor driving a continuously rotating servo shaft. This shaft may, for example, drive a rubber roller, and upon initiation of the operation of any key, a tumbler temporarily engages the roller to complete the key action.

In Figs. 9 and 10 is shown diagrammatically how a servo shaft H6 of an electrically operating machine may be used to drive the key K--I. In this case, the motor 2| is eliminated, together with its drive 25. The continuously operating motor for'the servo shaft I I6 is not shown, being, as above stated, well-known. It will be observed that neither such a motor, nor the servo shaft can be started and stopped without interfering with its other usual functions. Figs. 9 and 10 show how the servo shaft II6 through a selectively operable clutch can be made to operate the key KI when desired. To shaft H6 at a suitable location is attached a bevel gear II! which, by means of a bevel gear I I8, drives shaft I I9 and the driving plate I4I of a magnetic clutch I23. If all the switches of the control circuit shown in Fig. 10 are closed, a current will flow through to the electromagnet M3 of the magnetic clutch, causing it to close in a driven face plate I45. Plate I45 is loosely splined to a shaft I2I. Shaft I2I drives bevel gears I25, I21, shaft I29 and the worm gear set I3I, which in turn drives gear set Z1. In Fig. 10, the coil I43 is illustrated to take the place of the motor 2! in Fig. 6. As the action beyond this point has already been fully described, it need not be repeated here. The opening of any or all of the switches of the control circuit stops the repeating action by deenergizing and opening the clutch I23.

nism is attached to cause the necessary type bar to operate repetitiously,

all

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or. shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

" I claim:

1. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for the character to be repeated; comprising an electrically controlled mechanism adapted when energized to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, an energizing circuit for said electrically controlled mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit, a subcarriage, a latch mechanism on the sub-carriage for attaching it to or detaching it from the main carriage. for movement therewith or relatively thereto respectively, a manually controlled detent adapted selectively to anchor the sub-carriage relative to the frame and simultaneously to operate said latch mechanism to unlatch the sub-carriage from the main carriage, or to re-' lease the sub-carriage from the frame and to latch the sub-carriage to the main carriage for movement therewith, and means operableby said latch mechanism for opening said automatic switch when the latch mechanism is operated to release the sub-carriage from the main carriage.

2. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on.a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for the character to be repeated; comprising an electrically driven mechanism adapted when energized to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a circuit for energizing said electrically driven mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit, a sub-, carriage, a latch mechanism on'the sub-carriage for attaching it to or detaching it from the main carriage for movement therewith. or relatively thereto respectively,.,a manually controlled detent adapted selectively to anchor the, sub-carriage relative to the frame and simultaneously to operate said latch .mechanism tolunlatch the sub-carriage from the main carriage, or to re,-. lease the sub-carriage frornthe frame and to latch the sub-carriage to the main carriage for movement therewith, means operable by said latch mechanism for. opening said automatic switch when the latch mechanism is operated to release the sub-carriage from the main carriage, a manual switch in said circuit, and elements on the sub-carriage engageable with the detent when the detent is in anchoring position auto: matically to anchorthe sub-carriage relatively to the frame while releasing it fromthe main carriage and simultaneously to operate thelatch mechanism to open said automatic switch. I

3. A character repeating mechanism. for a typewriter having ona framea main carriage and a typingmechanism for the character-to be repeated; comprising an electrically driven mechanism adapted when energized tooperate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a circuit for energizing saidelectrically driven mechanism, a sub-carriage supported on but movable relatively to the main carriage-an automatic switch in said circuit and located on the carriage, a latchmechanism on the sub-carriage for attaching it to or detaching it from the main carriage for movementtherewith or relatively thereto respectively;- a manually controlled detent adapted selectively to anchor the sub-carriage relative to the frame and simultaneously to operate said latch mechanism to unlatch the sub-carriage from the main carriage, or to release the sub carriage from the frame and to latch the sub-carriage to the main carriage for movement therewith, and means operable by said latch mechanism in any position of either carriage for opening said automatic switch when the latch mechanism is operated to release the sub-carriage from the main carriage.

4. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for the character to be repeated; comprising an electrically driven mechanism adapted when energized to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a circuit for energizing said electrically driven mechanism, a sub-carriage supported on but movable relatively to the main carriage, an automatic switch in said circuit and located on the carriage, a latch mechanism on the sub-carriage for attaching it to or detaching it from the main carriage for movement therewith or relatively thereto respectively, a manually controlled detent adapted selectively to anchor the sub-carriage relative to the frame and simultaneously to operate said latch mechanism to unlatch the sub-carriage from the main carriage, or to release the sub-carriage from the frame and to latch the sub-carriage to the main carriage for movement therewith, means operable by said latch mechanism in any position of either carriage for opening said automatic switch when the latch mechanism is operated to release the sub-carriage from the main carriage, a manual switch in said circuit, and elements on the subcarriage engageable with the detent when the detent is in anchoring position automatically to anchor the sub-carriage relatively to the frame while releasing it from the main carriage and simultaneously to operate the latch mechanism to open said automatic switch.

5. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for thecharacter to be repeated; comprising an electrically driven mechanism adapted when energized to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a circuit for energizing said electrically driven mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit, a sub-carriage with respect to which the main carriage is movable, a latch mechanism on the sub-carriage for attaching it to or detaching it from the main carriage for movement therewith or relatively thereto respectively, means operable by said latch mechanism for opening and closing said automatic switch, and a manually controlled detent adapted selectively to anchor the sub-carriage relatively to the frame and simultaneously to operate said latch mechanism to unlatch the sub-carriage from the. main carriage while opening the automatic switch, or to release the subcarriage from the frame and to latch the subcarriage to the main carriage for movement therewith while closing said automatic switch.

6. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for the character to be repeated; comprising an electrically driven mechanism adapted when energized to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a circuit for energizing said electrically driven mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit including an elongate member, a sub-carriage with respect to which the main carriage is movable in the direction of said elongate member, a latch mcqlltllli1l on the sub-carriage for attaching it to or detaching it from the main carriage for movement therewith or relatively thereto respectively, said latch mechanism cooperating with said elongate member to open and close said automatic switch, a manually controlled detent adapted selectively to anchor the sub-carriage relatively to the frame and simultaneously to operate said latch mechanism to unlatch the sub-carriage from the main carriage while said latch mechanism cooperates with said elongate member to open the automatic switch, or to release the sub-carriage from the frame and to latch the sub-carriage to the main carriage for movement therewith while said latch mechanism cooperates with said elongate memher to close said automatic switch.

7. A repeater mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for a character to be repeated; an electrical mechanism adapted when energized to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a circuit for said electrical mechanism, a subcarriage supported on but movable longitudinally relatively to the main carriage, a latch mechanism on the sub-carriage for connecting it to and disconnecting it from the main carriage, a switch operable by said latch mechanism to be opened only when the sub-carriage is disconnected from the main carriage, and manually operated latch control means normally biasing the latch mechanism to disconnect the sub-carriage from the main carriage and holding the sub-carriage in a fixed position relative to the main frame.

8. A repeater mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for a character to be repeated; an electrical mechanism adapted when energized to operate said typing mechansm repetitiously, a circuit for said electrical mechanism, a subcarriage supported on but movable longitudinally relatively to the main carriage, a latch mechanism on the sub-carriage for connecting it to and disconnecting it from the main carriage, a switch operable by said latch mechanism to be opened only when the sub-carriage is disconnected from the main carriage, and manually operated latch control apparatus normally biasing the latch mechanism to disconnect the sub-carriage from the main carriage and holding the sub-carriage in a fixed position relative to the control apparatus, said control apparatus being manually operable to release the sub-carriage from the control apparatus and connect it to the main carriage, said sub-carriage including elements reengaging'the latch control apparatus to hold the sub-carriage when the subcarriage arrives at a position adjacent thereto.

9. A repeater mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for a character to be repeated; a subcarriage, a manually releasable detent for holding the sub-carriage in a fixed position relative to the main frame, a latch mechanism on the sub-carriage operated by the detent when the sub-carriage is detained and adapted to disconnect the sub-carriage from the main carriage, said detent when manually operated to release the sub-carriage for movement relative to the main frame also releasing said latch mechanism to connect the sub-carriage to the main carriage, and elements associated with the sub-carriage whereby the detent is caused again to detain the sub-carriage and operate the latch mechanism to release said sub-carriage from the main carriage when the sub-carriage arrives with the main carriage at a location adjacent to said detent.

10. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for the character to be repeated; comprising an electrically driven mechanism adapted when energized to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a circuit for energizing said electrically driven mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit, a subcarriage, a. manually releasable detent mechanism adapted normally to anchor the sub-carriage to the frame and release it from the main carriage, said detent mechanism when manually operated releasing the sub-carriage from the frame and connecting it with the main carriage for movement therewith, and switch-operating means associated with the detent mechanism for closing said automatic switch as long as the sub-carriage is connected with the main carriage but adapted to open said switch whenever the sub-carriage is released from the main carriage.

11. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for the character to be repeated; comprising an electrically driven mechanism adapted when energized to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a circuit for energizing said electrically driven mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit, a subcarriage, a manually releasable detent mechanism adapted normally to anchor the sub-carriage to the frame and release it from the main carriage, said detent mechanism when manually operated releasing the sub-carriage from the frame and connecting it with the main carriage for movement therewith, switch-operating means associated with the detent mechanism for closing said automatic switch as long as the sub-carriage is connected with the main carriage but adapted to open said switch whenever the sub-carriage is released from the main carriage, and a mechanism on the sub-carriage adapted automatically to place the detent mechanism in operative position to disconnect the sub-carriage from the main carriage whenever the sub-carriage reaches a predetermined location relative to the frame.

12. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for a character to be repeated; comprising an electrically driven mechanism adapted when energized to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a circuit for energizing said electrically driven mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit, a sub-carriage, a manually releasable detent mechanism adapted normally to anchor the sub-carriage to the frame and release it from the main carriage, said detent mechanism when manually operated releasing the sub-carriage from the frame and connecting it with the main carriage for movement therewith, switch-operating means associated with the detent mechanism for closing said automatic switch as long as the sub-carriage is connected with the main carriage but adapted to open said switch whenever the sub-carriage is released from the main carriage, a mechanism on the sub-carriage adapted automatically to place the detent mechanism in operative position to disconnect the sub-carriage from the main carriage whenever the sub-carriage reaches a predetermined location relative to the frame 14 and adapted to open said automatic switch, and a second normally open manually closable control switch in said circuit.

13. A character repeating mechanism for a,

typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for a character to be repeated; comprising an electrically driven mechanism adapted when energized to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a circuit for energizing said electrically driven mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit, a sub-carriage, a manually releasable detent mechanism adapted normally to anchor the sub-carriage to the frame and release it from the main carriage, said detent mechanism when manually operated releasing the sub-carriage from the frame and connecting it with the main carriage for movementtherewith, switch-operating means associated with the detent mechanism for closing said automatic switch as long as the sub-carriage is connected with the main carriage but adapted to open said switch whenever the sub-carriage is released from the main carriage, a mechanism on the sub-carriage adapted automatically to place the detent mechanism in operative position to disconnect the sub-carriage from the main carriage whenever the sub-carriage reaches a predetermined location relative to the frame and adapted to open said automatic switch, a second normally open manually closable control switch in said circuit, a third normally closed control switch in said circuit, and an element adapted automatically to open said third switch when the main carriage reaches the end of a predetermined travel.

14. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for a character to be repeated; comprising an electrically driven mechanism adapted when energized to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a circuit for energizing said electrically driven mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit, a sub-carriage, a manually releasable detent mechanism adapted normally to anchor the sub-carriage to the frame and release it from the main carriage, said detent mechanism when manually operated releasing the sub-carriage from the frame and connecting it with the main carriage for movement therewith, switch-operating means associated with the detent mechanism for closing said automatic switch as long as the sub-carriage is connected with the main carriage but adapted to open said switch whenever the sub-carriage is released from the main carriage, a mechanism on' the sub-carriage adapted automatically to place the detent mechanism in operative position to disconnect the sub-carriage from the main carriage whenever the sub-carriage reaches a predetermined location relative to the frame and adapted to open said automatic switch, a second normally open manually closable control switch in said circuit, a third normally closed control switch in said circuit, and an adjustable element on the main carriage adapted automatically to open said third switch when the main carriage has covered a predetermined travel.

15. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for the character to be repeated; comprising a driving mechanism adapted selectively to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a control circuit for said driving mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit, a sub-carriage, a latch mechanism on the sub-carriage for attaching it to or detaching it from the main carriage for movement therewith or relatively thereto respectively, a manually controlled detent adapted selectively to anchor the sub-carriage relative to the frame and simultaneously to operate said latch mechanism to unlatch the sub-carriage from the main carriage, or to release the sub-carriage from the frame and to latch the sub-carriage to the main carriage for movement therewith, and means operable by said latch mechanism for opening said automatic switch when the latch mechanism is operated to release the sub-carriage from the main carriage.

16. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for the character to be repeated; comprising a driving mechanism adapted selectively to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a control circuit for said driving mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit, a sub-carriage, -a latch mechanism on the sub-carriage for attaching it to or detaching it from the main carriage for movement therewith or relatively thereto respectively, a manually controlled detent adapted selectively to anchor the sub-carriage relative to the frame and simultaneously to operate said latch mechanism to unlatch the sub-carriage from the main carriage, or to release the sub-carriage from the frame and to latch the sub-carriage to the main carriage for movement therewith, means operable by said latch mechanism for opening said automatic switch when the latch mechanism is operated to release the sub-carriage from the main carriage, a manual switch in said circuit, and elements on the sub-carriage engageable with the detent when the detent is in anchoring position automatically to anchor the sub-carriage relatively to the frame while releasing it from the main carriage and simultaneously to operate the latch mechanism to open said automatic switch.

17. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for the character to be repeated; comprising a driving mechanism adapted selectively to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a control circuit for said driving mechanism, a sub-carriage supported on but movable relatively to the main carriage, an automatic switch in said circuit, a latch mechanism on the sub-carriage for attaching it to or detaching it from the main carriage for movement therewith or relatively thereto respectively, a manually controlled detent adapted selectively to anchor the sub-carriage relative to the frame and simultaneously to operate said latch mechanism to unlatch the sub-carriage from the main carriage, or to release the sub-carriage from the frame and to latch the sub-carriage. to the main carriage for movement therewith, and means operable by said latch mechanism in any position of either carriage for opening said automatic switch when the latch mechanism is operated to release the sub-carriage from the main carriage.

18. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for the character to be repeated; comprising a driving mechanism adapted selectively to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a control circuit for said driving mechanism, a sub-carriage supported on but movable relatively to the main carriage, an automatic switch in said circuit, a latch mechanism on the sub-carriage for attaching it to or detaching it from the main carriage for movement therewith or relatively thereto respectively, a manually controlled detent adapted selectively to anchor the sub-carriage relative to the frame and simultaneously to operate said latch mechanism to unlatch the sub-carriage from the main carriage, or to release the sub-carriage from the frame and to latch the sub-carriage to the main carriage for movement therewith, means operable by said latch mechanism in any position of either carriage for opening said automatic switch when the latch mechanism is operated to release the sub-carriage from the main carriage, a manual switch in said circuit, and elements on the sub-carriage engageable with the detent when the detent is in anchoring position automatically to anchor the sub-carriage relatively to the frame while releasing it from the main carriage and simultaneously to operate the latch mechanism to open said automatic switch.

19. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for the character to be repeated; comprising a driving mechanism adapted selectively to operate said typing mech anism repetitiously, a control circuit for said driving mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit, a sub-carriage with respect to which the main carriage is movable, a latch mechanism on the sub-carriage for attaching it to or detaching it from the main carriage for movement therewith or relatively thereto respectively, means operable by said latch mechanism for opening and closing said automatic switch, and a manually controlled detent adapted selectively to anchor the sub-carriage relatively to the frame and simultaneously to operate said latch mechanism to unlatch the sub-carriage from the main carriage while opening the automatic switch, or to release the sub-carriage from the frame and to latch the sub-carriage to the main carriage for movement therewith while closing said automatic switch.

20. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for the character to be repeated; comprising a driving mechanism adapted selectively to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a control circuit for said driving mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit including an elongate member, a sub-carriage with respect to which the main carriage is movable in the direction of said elongate member, a latch mechanism on the sub-carriage for attaching it to or detaching it from the main carriage for movement therewith or relatively thereto respectively, said latch mechanism cooperating with said elongate member to open and close said automatic switch, a manually controlled detent adapted selectively to anchor the sub-carriage relatively to the frame and simultaneously to operate said latch mechanism to unlatch the sub-carriage from the main carriage while said latch mechanism cooperates with said elongate member to open the automatic switch, or to release the sub-carriage from the frame and to latch the sub-carriage to the main carriage for movement therewith while said latch mechanism cooperates with said elongate member to close said automatic switch.

21. A character repeating mechanism for a typewriter having on a frame a main carriage and a typing mechanism for the character to be repeated; comprising a driving mechanism adapted selectively to operate said typing mechanism repetitiously, a control circuit for said driving mechanism, an automatic switch in said circuit, a sub-carriage, a manually releasable detent mechanism adapted normally to anchor the subcarriage to the frame and release it from the main carriage, said detent mechanism when manually operated releasing the sub-carriage from the frame and connecting it with the main carriage for movement therewith, switch-operating means associated with the detent mechanism for closing said automatic switch as long as the sub-carriage is connected with the main carriage but adapted to open said switch whenever the sub-carriage is released from the main carriage, a mechanism on the sub-carriage adapted automatically to place the detent mechanism in operative position to disconnect the subcarriage from the main carriage whenever the sub-carriage reaches a predetermined location relative to the frame and adapted to open said automatic switch, a second normally open manually closable control switch in said circuit, a third normally closed control switch in said circuit, and an adjustable element on the main carriage adapted automatically to open said third switch when the main carriage has covered a predetermined travel.

22. In a typewriter having a movable carriage and a typing key mechanism cooperating with said carriage, a repeating mechanism associated with at least one typing key of said typing mechanism, means for initiating the operation of said repeating mechanism, a mechanism responsive to the travel of the carriage to a predetermined point adapted automatically to discontinue the operation of the repeating mechanism, and apparatus responsive to preliminary carriage movement for automatically adjusting said discontinuing mechanism to determine the position of said desired point of discontinuation.

23. In a typewriter having a movable carriage and a typing key mechanism cooperating with said carriage, a repeating mechanism associated with at least one typing key of said typing mechanism, a clutch for initiating the operation of said repeating mechanism, a mechanism responsive to the travel of the carriage to a desired point adapted automatically to open the clutch to discontinue the operation of the repeating mechanism, and apparatus responsive to preliminary carriage movement for adjusting said discontinuing mechanism to determine the position of said desired point of discontinuation.

WILLIAM S. GATES, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENT Number Name Date 1,153,651 Voelker Sept. 14, 1915 2,287,100 Hediger June 23, 1942 

